What's on around The Holt in the near future

Using our contacts and links in the local area we produce this list. If you are making a special trip to stay with us to visit any of these please check with the venue before you book so that you are sure of all the details as they may change from when we collected them.

Scotney Castle, Kent, Lamberhurst, Kent TN3 8JN - Scotney Castle

Wednesday 1st January, 10:00 am to Thursday 31st December to 5:00 pm

Country house, romantic garden, 14th century moated castle - all in a beautiful wooded estate
Relax in our picturesque garden with the glorious backdrop of our fairytale castle. Venture into the wonderful woodland and parkland with over 770 acres to explore. Discover the delights of our Victorian country mansion with its secrets and stories; you might meet our much loved cat in residence 'Puss Puss'.

Enjoy a delicious meal in our tea-room or bring your own food along to eat in our newly created woodland picnic area. Your day would not be complete without a visit to our shop, where you will find tasty local produce including our very own Scotney bitter and yummy honey made from our busy bees.

The estate is open all year, offering a variety of walks through our beautiful parkland, woodland and Hop farm

Wednesday 1st January, 10:00 am to Thursday 31st December to 5:00 pm

Originally home to a 40 acre apple orchard, the Barnes family started to consider diversifying the farm in the late 1960s as apple prices began to decline. After listening to a feature on the BBC’s Woman’s Hour programme about English vineyards being replanted, Mrs. Barnes was inspired to turn to viticulture. In 1969, one third of an acre of vines was planted and Biddenden Vineyards was born.

Today our single estate vineyard spans 23 acres of gentle south facing slopes situated in a sheltered valley, just outside the picturesque Wealden village of Biddenden. 11 different grape varieties are grown here to produce our array of award-winning White, Rosé, Red and Sparkling English wines.

Julian and his eldest son Tom look after all of the vineyard management and winemaking at Biddenden.

The knowledge which the family has built up through experience over the years can be seen in the quality and consistency of the wines produced year on year.

From the first Biddenden wine, which was bottled around 1972-3, production has now grown to around 80,000 bottles per year. All vine work on the estate is still carried out by hand, including pruning, canopy management and picking, with harvest running from mid to late September right through to November.

Great effort is made to ensure that the estate wines produced are of the highest quality, which is reflected by the number of awards we receive.

Chapel Down Vineyard - Chapel Down Vineyard

Wednesday 1st January, 10:00 am to Thursday 31st December to 5:00 pm

Chapel Down is located in the beautiful Kent countryside, close to the picturesque market town of Tenterden, and is open to visitors throughout the year.
Set amongst 22 acres of vineyards, recognised as an 'Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty', the Chapel Down winery has excellent facilities for visitors including a high quality restaurant and a shop stocking a variety of local produce. Visitors are also welcome to explore the grounds, our beautiful herb garden and complimentary vineyard walks. We are open to the public every day from 10.00am until 5.00pm.

Wednesday 1st January, 10:30 am to Thursday 31st December to 5:00 pm

Set in the heart of an historic landscape, with spiral staircases, battlements and a portcullis, 14th century Bodiam Castle is one of Britain's most picturesque and romantic ancient monuments. Windows where arrows were once shot, a tower that was once a look-out and ruins that were once walked upon by knights; this is a place where you can relive your childhood memories and let your imagination run riot.

In the impressive gatehouse is the castle's original wooden portcullis, an extremely rare example of its kind. Enough of the interior ruins survive to give an impression of castle life and gruesome and surprising tales can often be heard from our webster, forester and other colourful characters from the past. Plus we have lots of seasonal events throughout the year.

Please note: Entry to the grounds is included in our admission prices. Tickets must be purchased to enter the castle and/or the grounds.

Wednesday 1st January, 11:00 am to Thursday 31st December to 5:00 pm

Surrounded by the wooded landscape of the Sussex Weald, this 17th-century house, with its mullioned windows and oak beams, provided a much needed sanctuary to this world-famous writer.

The rooms, described by him as 'untouched and unfaked', remain much as he left them, with oriental rugs and artefacts reflecting his strong association with the East. Kim was his first major piece of writing that he wrote from his study at Bateman's which links him and his fond childhood memories to India with real clarity and devotion, truly a master piece of descriptive writing. Kipling was awarded the Nobel Prize for literature in 1907.

Bateman's is very much a family home that feels as though the Kiplings have just gone out for the day.

Wednesday 1st January, 11:00 am to Thursday 31st December to 3:00 pm

Lose yourself in this romantic moated manor house, described by David Starkey as 'one of the most beautiful and interesting of English country houses'.

Built nearly 700 years ago, this house has seen many changes and been owned by Medieval knights, courtiers to Henry VIII and high society Victorians.

Highlights include the picturesque courtyard, Great Hall, crypt, Tudor painted ceiling, Grade I listed dog kennel and the private apartments of Charles Henry Robinson, who gave Ightham Mote to the National Trust in 1985.

The house is surrounded by peaceful gardens with an orchard, water features, lakes and woodland walks.

Venture onto the Ightham Mote estate on one of the three estate walks, which offer unique views across the Kent countryside and stunning displays of flora and fauna. There is the renowned ancient bluebell woodland in spring at Scathes Wood, wildflowers in the summer, autumn colours and the crisp days of winter to come back and enjoy. Discover the hoppers' huts and the source of the water spring that feeds the moat at Ightham Mote.

Wednesday 1st January, 11:00 am to Thursday 31st December to 5:00 pm

Hidden deep in the Garden of England, the Estate is home to award winning English sparkling wine, Balfour Brut Rosé. Since its beginnings the Estate has grown its product range substantially and now boasts an exquisite selection of wines and ciders all produced from fruit grown in beautiful vineyards and apple orchards. An expert team of winemakers combine their skills in state of the art winery to bring this delicious range.

The Estate comprises 400 acres of perfectly manicured vineyards, apple orchards and ancient oak woodlands rich with wildlife, flora and fauna all of which add to the beauty and provenance of what is produced.

Wednesday 1st January, 11:00 am to Thursday 31st December to 5:30 pm

Vita Sackville-West, the poet and writer, began transforming Sissinghurst Castle in the 1930s with her diplomat and author husband, Harold Nicolson. Harold's architectural planning of the garden rooms, and the colourful, abundant planting in the gardens by Vita, reflect the romance and intimacy of her poems and writings.

Sissinghurst Castle Garden was the backdrop for a diverse history; from the astonishing time as a prison in the 1700s, to being a home to the women’s land army. It was also a family home to some fascinating people who lived here or came to stay. We've undertaken research to find out more about Vita and Harold's original design and we are taking steps to recapture the vision that they had. Keep an eye out for changes we are making around the garden this year. Don't miss the vast panoramic views from the top of the Tower, the working farm and the 450-acre wider estate.

Chartwell, Mapleton Road, Westerham, Kent, TN16 1PS - Chartwell

Saturday 29th February, 11:00 am to Saturday 31st October to 5:00 pm

Family home and garden of Sir Winston Churchill

Chartwell was the much-loved Churchill family home from 1922 and the place from which Sir Winston drew inspiration until the end of his life.

The rooms remain much as they were when he lived here, with pictures, books and personal mementoes evoking the career and wide-ranging interests of a great statesman, writer, painter and family man. Additionally, every winter we put on a new temporary exhibition to explore Churchill in more detail and draw items out of storage.

The hillside gardens reflect Sir Winston’s love of the landscape and nature. They include the lakes he created, the kitchen garden and the Marycot, a playhouse designed for his youngest daughter Mary.

Beyond the gardens there is an expanse of woodland with looped trails and natural play areas. There's den building, a Canadian camp and opportunities to stretch your legs.

Wednesday 4th March, 11:00 am to Saturday 31st October to 5:00 pm

Shut Monday and Tuesday

Once the most highly paid actress in England, Ellen Terry bought Smallhythe Place in 1899 as her country retreat away from her busy life in London. She lived here until her death in 1928, creating many memories along the way.

Saturday 28th March, 10:00 am to Thursday 29th October to 5:00 pm

A delightful country house garden

This is one of the best known gardens in Kent, a worthy winner of Visit Kent’s Garden of the Year award in 2016. Four generations of the Barham family have created a wonderful 16 acre garden in a magical parkland setting that must be everyone’s dream. Extensive yew hedges and herbaceous borders should be at their best for our opening, with meadow and woodland gardens to explore as well, all rounded off with homemade teas and light in The Coach House.

If you have not been before do come and see this garden and for those familiar with it, there are always new projects, including new borders planting and improvements to the Egg Pond.

Great Dixter, Northiam, East Sussex - Great Dixter

Wednesday 1st April, 10:00 am to Saturday 31st October to 5:00 pm

Great Dixter was the family home of gardener and gardening writer Christopher Lloyd – it was the focus of his energy and enthusiasm and fuelled over 40 years of books and articles. Now under the stewardship of Fergus Garrett and the Great Dixter Charitable Trust, Great Dixter is an historic house, a garden, a centre of education, and a place of pilgrimage for horticulturists from across the world.

Wednesday 1st April, 11:00 am to Wednesday 30th September to 5:00 pm

Visit Pashley Manor Gardens, on the border of Sussex and Kent, to see Romantic English landscaping and artistic planting framed by fine old trees, fountains and ponds, with the unusual Tudor/Georgian manor house, which is a private family home, creating a memorable backdrop to the beautiful and dynamic gardens.

Relish the gardeners’ attention to detail; savour the homemade, local food in the café; relax on the terrace with refreshments; be captivated by the exhibitions of sculpture and art; peruse the gift shop and be charmed by the knowledgeable and friendly team.

Mr and Mrs James Sellick are the owners and inhabitants of Pashley Manor, a Grade I listed timber-framed house, dating from 1550 and enlarged in 1720. They opened their gardens to the public in 1992, having brought them to their present splendour with the assistance of the eminent landscape architect the late Anthony du Gard Pasley and their team of gardeners, and would be delighted to welcome you here in 2017.

Leeds Castle, Leeds Castle, Maidstone ME17 1RG - Leeds Castle

in June

Leeds Castle has been a Norman stronghold; the private property of six of England’s medieval queens; a palace used by Henry VIII and his first wife Catherine of Aragon; a Jacobean country house; a Georgian mansion; an elegant early 20th century retreat for the influential and famous; and in the 21st century, it has become one of the most visited historic buildings in Britain.

in June

Vita Sackville-West, the poet and writer, began transforming Sissinghurst Castle in the 1930s with her diplomat and author husband, Harold Nicolson. Harold's architectural planning of the garden rooms, and the colourful, abundant planting in the gardens by Vita, reflect the romance and intimacy of her poems and writings.

Sissinghurst Castle Garden was the backdrop for a diverse history; from the astonishing time as a prison in the 1700s, to being a home to the women’s land army. It was also a family home to some fascinating people who lived here or came to stay. We've undertaken research to find out more about Vita and Harold's original design and we are taking steps to recapture the vision that they had. Keep an eye out for changes we are making around the garden this year. Don't miss the vast panoramic views from the top of the Tower, the working farm and the 450-acre wider estate.

Saturday 20th June, 9:30 am to 4:00 pm

General information:

The gardens will be open from 9:30am-4:00pm, and admission is £10
There is no need to book on our open days; just turn up on the day, park in the field and pay at the gate.
Our Perch Hill shop will be open for you to browse and buy from our range of plants, seeds, and home and gardening products. Please note we have limited space here, so do not stock the full range of products available on our website.
Tea, coffee, homemade cakes and light lunches are all available to purchase. Lunch will be served from 12.15pm.
We're sorry but we cannot take coaches on Open Days. Please look at our Visitor Information page – Private Visits if you would like to book a group visit.
Sorry, no dogs allowed in the garden.
If you require further information, please ring us on 01424 838000. If no-one is available to take your call, please leave a message on our answer machine and we will get back to you.

Our East Sussex garden is not open every day, but you can visit on the open days that are listed below. The Perch Hill shop is also open on these days, but otherwise only on weekdays by appointment, or on one of our Christmas Shopping Days. Please phone 01424 838000.

Tuesday 14th July, 10:00 am to Sunday 19th July to 5:00 pm

Gardeners love to eat what they grow and since in July an abundance of produce is ready to enjoy, after all the planning, planting and hard work, what better time for Pashley Manor, on the border of Sussex and Kent, to dedicate a week to the Kitchen Garden.

The current Kitchen Garden, designed and planted in 1990, is a re-creation of how the long –lost Victorian potager might have been. In July the Kitchen Garden, hidden within its soft red brick walls, is full of fresh produce and flowers that supply the café and feed the house. Espaliered pear trees and vine arches welcome you to the Kitchen Garden; scented and colourful sweet peas grown on tall bamboo pyramids flourish at each corner. Many different types of lettuce and salad jostle for space with parsley, chives, coriander and other herbs, while artichokes and early courgettes, peas, beans and beetroot cohabit with soft fruits, which make visitors gasp with envy.

Most of the produce in Pashley’s Kitchen Garden is grown from seeds from Dobies.

During the eight days of the Kitchen Garden Week there will be the chance to talk to the gardeners and ask questions and advice, as well as a focus on how the produce from the garden is used in the café menus; plus there will be local honey and homemade chutney on sale in the Gift Shop.

Saturday 18th July, 9:30 am to 4:00 pm

General information:

The gardens will be open from 9:30am-4:00pm, and admission is £10
There is no need to book on our open days; just turn up on the day, park in the field and pay at the gate.
Our Perch Hill shop will be open for you to browse and buy from our range of plants, seeds, and home and gardening products. Please note we have limited space here, so do not stock the full range of products available on our website.
Tea, coffee, homemade cakes and light lunches are all available to purchase. Lunch will be served from 12.15pm.
We're sorry but we cannot take coaches on Open Days. Please look at our Visitor Information page – Private Visits if you would like to book a group visit.
Sorry, no dogs allowed in the garden.
If you require further information, please ring us on 01424 838000. If no-one is available to take your call, please leave a message on our answer machine and we will get back to you.

Our East Sussex garden is not open every day, but you can visit on the open days that are listed below. The Perch Hill shop is also open on these days, but otherwise only on weekdays by appointment, or on one of our Christmas Shopping Days. Please phone 01424 838000.

Wednesday 29th July, 9:30 am to 4:00 pm

General information:

The gardens will be open from 9:30am-4:00pm, and admission is £10
There is no need to book on our open days; just turn up on the day, park in the field and pay at the gate.
Our Perch Hill shop will be open for you to browse and buy from our range of plants, seeds, and home and gardening products. Please note we have limited space here, so do not stock the full range of products available on our website.
Tea, coffee, homemade cakes and light lunches are all available to purchase. Lunch will be served from 12.15pm.
We're sorry but we cannot take coaches on Open Days. Please look at our Visitor Information page – Private Visits if you would like to book a group visit.
Sorry, no dogs allowed in the garden.
If you require further information, please ring us on 01424 838000. If no-one is available to take your call, please leave a message on our answer machine and we will get back to you.

Our East Sussex garden is not open every day, but you can visit on the open days that are listed below. The Perch Hill shop is also open on these days, but otherwise only on weekdays by appointment, or on one of our Christmas Shopping Days. Please phone 01424 838000.

Saturday 1st August, 9:30 am to 4:00 pm

General information:

The gardens will be open from 9:30am-4:00pm, and admission is £10
There is no need to book on our open days; just turn up on the day, park in the field and pay at the gate.
Our Perch Hill shop will be open for you to browse and buy from our range of plants, seeds, and home and gardening products. Please note we have limited space here, so do not stock the full range of products available on our website.
Tea, coffee, homemade cakes and light lunches are all available to purchase. Lunch will be served from 12.15pm.
We're sorry but we cannot take coaches on Open Days. Please look at our Visitor Information page – Private Visits if you would like to book a group visit.
Sorry, no dogs allowed in the garden.
If you require further information, please ring us on 01424 838000. If no-one is available to take your call, please leave a message on our answer machine and we will get back to you.

Our East Sussex garden is not open every day, but you can visit on the open days that are listed below. The Perch Hill shop is also open on these days, but otherwise only on weekdays by appointment, or on one of our Christmas Shopping Days. Please phone 01424 838000.

Saturday 15th August, 9:30 am to 4:00 pm

General information:

The gardens will be open from 9:30am-4:00pm, and admission is £10
There is no need to book on our open days; just turn up on the day, park in the field and pay at the gate.
Our Perch Hill shop will be open for you to browse and buy from our range of plants, seeds, and home and gardening products. Please note we have limited space here, so do not stock the full range of products available on our website.
Tea, coffee, homemade cakes and light lunches are all available to purchase. Lunch will be served from 12.15pm.
We're sorry but we cannot take coaches on Open Days. Please look at our Visitor Information page – Private Visits if you would like to book a group visit.
Sorry, no dogs allowed in the garden.
If you require further information, please ring us on 01424 838000. If no-one is available to take your call, please leave a message on our answer machine and we will get back to you.

Our East Sussex garden is not open every day, but you can visit on the open days that are listed below. The Perch Hill shop is also open on these days, but otherwise only on weekdays by appointment, or on one of our Christmas Shopping Days. Please phone 01424 838000.

Wednesday 26th August, 9:30 am to 4:00 pm

General information:

The gardens will be open from 9:30am-4:00pm, and admission is £10
There is no need to book on our open days; just turn up on the day, park in the field and pay at the gate.
Our Perch Hill shop will be open for you to browse and buy from our range of plants, seeds, and home and gardening products. Please note we have limited space here, so do not stock the full range of products available on our website.
Tea, coffee, homemade cakes and light lunches are all available to purchase. Lunch will be served from 12.15pm.
We're sorry but we cannot take coaches on Open Days. Please look at our Visitor Information page – Private Visits if you would like to book a group visit.
Sorry, no dogs allowed in the garden.
If you require further information, please ring us on 01424 838000. If no-one is available to take your call, please leave a message on our answer machine and we will get back to you.

Our East Sussex garden is not open every day, but you can visit on the open days that are listed below. The Perch Hill shop is also open on these days, but otherwise only on weekdays by appointment, or on one of our Christmas Shopping Days. Please phone 01424 838000.

Thursday 10th September, 9:30 am to 4:00 pm

General information:

The gardens will be open from 9:30am-4:00pm, and admission is £10
There is no need to book on our open days; just turn up on the day, park in the field and pay at the gate.
Our Perch Hill shop will be open for you to browse and buy from our range of plants, seeds, and home and gardening products. Please note we have limited space here, so do not stock the full range of products available on our website.
Tea, coffee, homemade cakes and light lunches are all available to purchase. Lunch will be served from 12.15pm.
We're sorry but we cannot take coaches on Open Days. Please look at our Visitor Information page – Private Visits if you would like to book a group visit.
Sorry, no dogs allowed in the garden.
If you require further information, please ring us on 01424 838000. If no-one is available to take your call, please leave a message on our answer machine and we will get back to you.

Our East Sussex garden is not open every day, but you can visit on the open days that are listed below. The Perch Hill shop is also open on these days, but otherwise only on weekdays by appointment, or on one of our Christmas Shopping Days. Please phone 01424 838000.

Saturday 12th September, 9:30 am to 4:00 pm

General information:

The gardens will be open from 9:30am-4:00pm, and admission is £10
There is no need to book on our open days; just turn up on the day, park in the field and pay at the gate.
Our Perch Hill shop will be open for you to browse and buy from our range of plants, seeds, and home and gardening products. Please note we have limited space here, so do not stock the full range of products available on our website.
Tea, coffee, homemade cakes and light lunches are all available to purchase. Lunch will be served from 12.15pm.
We're sorry but we cannot take coaches on Open Days. Please look at our Visitor Information page – Private Visits if you would like to book a group visit.
Sorry, no dogs allowed in the garden.
If you require further information, please ring us on 01424 838000. If no-one is available to take your call, please leave a message on our answer machine and we will get back to you.

Our East Sussex garden is not open every day, but you can visit on the open days that are listed below. The Perch Hill shop is also open on these days, but otherwise only on weekdays by appointment, or on one of our Christmas Shopping Days. Please phone 01424 838000.

Friday 25th September, 9:30 am to 4:00 pm

General information:

The gardens will be open from 9:30am-4:00pm, and admission is £10
There is no need to book on our open days; just turn up on the day, park in the field and pay at the gate.
Our Perch Hill shop will be open for you to browse and buy from our range of plants, seeds, and home and gardening products. Please note we have limited space here, so do not stock the full range of products available on our website.
Tea, coffee, homemade cakes and light lunches are all available to purchase. Lunch will be served from 12.15pm.
We're sorry but we cannot take coaches on Open Days. Please look at our Visitor Information page – Private Visits if you would like to book a group visit.
Sorry, no dogs allowed in the garden.
If you require further information, please ring us on 01424 838000. If no-one is available to take your call, please leave a message on our answer machine and we will get back to you.

Our East Sussex garden is not open every day, but you can visit on the open days that are listed below. The Perch Hill shop is also open on these days, but otherwise only on weekdays by appointment, or on one of our Christmas Shopping Days. Please phone 01424 838000.